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Paris Masters tennis: Khachanov shocks Djokovic to lift title

Posted on Monday, November 05, 2018 by Jody Gill

Paris Masters: Djokovic downs Federer to reach final

Karen Khachanov caused one of the shocks of the tennis year by overpowering Novak Djokovic 7-5 6-4 in the Paris Masters final on Sunday to end the Serbian's remarkable spell of dominance in the men's game.

The match promised much, and delivered from the off as Djovovic gave fans a glimpse of what was in store in the very first set, needing 71 minutes to overcome Federer 7-6 (8-6).

However, Khachanov, who had saved match points against John Isner earlier in the week, hit back immediately with assured hitting as he refused to allow Djokovic to dictate the baseline exchanges.

The 22-year-old Khachanov, ranked 18th, is the first Russian to win here since Nikolay Davydenko in 2006.

Although Djokovic broke in the fourth game to move 3-1 up and then led 30-0 on serve, the unseeded Khachanov broke him straight back and the momentum abruptly shifted away from Djokovic.

Djokovic explained that his rivalry with Roger Federer is "special" because of the level the pair rise to when they play each other.

Khachanov added this title to the Kremlin Cup in Moscow last month for his third title of the year and fourth overall. I want to talk about how well he (Khachanov) played all week, he absolutely deserved to win the match today.

"I don't want to talk about that". Both players struck the ball cleanly from the onset and battled through a tight first set, the highlight of which came when Federer produced a stroke of genius at the net while down break point.

Russia's Karen Khachanov celebrates his first Masters triumph following a memorable win over Novak Djokovic. "I'm getting into (the) season finale feeling good about my game".

"Two years isn't a lot in most people's lives, but for me, there's a big difference between 37 and 39".

Djokovic outlasted Federer in an energy-sapping classic that lasted over three hours on Saturday, and the Serb began to look tired as he dropped serve to a fall behind early in the second set.

'So all the credit to him.

Thiem, the French Open finalist, came from behind to win 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 against Jack Sock, who won the title in Paris a year ago.

"It was one of my best matches and what I'm happy about is that I was increasing my level, which shows that I'm becoming a better player", Khachanov, who reached his first Masters 1000 final, said.